From the President
From the Office
ASM Update
NFC
Clinical Update
Annual Report
AMC Accreditation
Board Elections
Communication Course
SOT Workshop
Online Journals
Exam Closing Date
Rural Rotation
Courses/Events
New Zealand News
PBM Guideline
Survey of Fellows
From the President
It has been a fantastic month for the College, with an ASM in Canberra that has attracted rave reviews, as well as an inspiring New Fellows Conference and the inaugural and extremely successful Clinical Update Course run the day preceeeding the ASM.
Canberra‘s first ASM was a great success with record sponsorship and a fabulous Graduation Dinner held at Parliament House. Work is already well under way on the 2012 ASM to be held in Melbourne 25th - 27th May.
The Australian Medical Council Accreditation visits have begun this week and I thank everyone for their hard work and support.
Prof J Myburgh
From the Office
I feel like I always start this greeting off with "the office is very busy at the moment", but at least it keeps us all out of trouble.
There was a sigh of relief after the Exam, New Fellows Conference and the ASM were all wrapped up successfully, we are always thrilled when things go according to plan. It is a highlight for us to catch up with the Fellows and Trainees, so thank you to all those who came and said hello.
The staff who attended the ASM were all in agreement that it was a fantastic event and that without doubt it was the best ASM dinner we have been to. We have high expectations for the dance floor next year!!
If you have anything you would like to include in upcoming e-news editions, please send them through to me, Lisa Davidson
There was a sigh of relief after the Exam, New Fellows Conference and the ASM were all wrapped up successfully, we are always thrilled when things go according to plan. It is a highlight for us to catch up with the Fellows and Trainees, so thank you to all those who came and said hello.
The staff who attended the ASM were all in agreement that it was a fantastic event and that without doubt it was the best ASM dinner we have been to. We have high expectations for the dance floor next year!!
If you have anything you would like to include in upcoming e-news editions, please send them through to me, Lisa Davidson
ASM Update
The ASM was held in Canberra, and the meeting was titled Pushing the Boundaries of Intensive Care and was the first time that the ASM has been a themed program rather than focusing on a single organ.
The main meeting was preceded by three very successful satellite meetings, including a CTG forum and a new initiative the Intensive Care Update day. This day was designed for all specialists working in critical care and provided a series of clinical and practical updates. The meeting was well attended and received good reviews by participants. The third meeting was the New Fellows Conference, which is now well established and is a forum for our New Fellows to network and to discuss issues pertinent to the specialty. There were lively discussions around many topics and some interesting proposed solutions to many of our current problems, which will be presented to the Board in July.
The ASM began on Friday morning and the local committee did a great job in designing a program which was educational but more importantly thought provoking and inspired some great discussions. The three International speakers, Professor Julian Bion (UK), Professor Kathy Rowan (UK) and A/Professor Rob Fowler (Canada) were all excellent and seemed to enjoy our hospitality and the opportunity to discuss Critical Care globally and issues more close to home. The Felicity Hawker Presentations were held after lunch on Friday, and were well attended, with the winner being Michael Putt from Queensland. Our Trainees should be congratulated on the professional standard of these presentations. The free papers were presented on Saturday lunchtime and again the session was of a high level and well attended, with the winner being Tariq Hussain from NSW. The interest in presenting at the ASM has increased over the years, and we also had a great selection of posters at the meeting.
The highlight of the meeting was the ASM dinner, held in the Great Hall at Parliament House. 34 Graduands were received into the Fellowship, and the CICM Medal was awarded to Alan Duncan prior to him giving an entertaining and enlightening oration. The food and drink were enjoyed by all, not to mention the band and dancing that followed.
The meeting concluded on Sunday lunchtime with an engaging and at times amusing case presentation and panel discussion and the success of the ASM was reflected in the good attendance of delegates up till the close of the meeting. The feedback is still being collated but the overall feeling was that the meeting was of high quality, good value and provided the Fellowship with an excellent opportunity to network and catch up.
Next year the ASM will be held in Melbourne (25th-27th May 2012) and again is promising to be exciting and engaging. The title of the meeting is Breathe Easy: Oxygenation in the New Millennium and the local committee is looking at innovative and creative ways to explore this area. We would encourage you to keep the dates free and look forward to seeing you in Melbourne next May.
Liz Steel - ASM Officer
Liz Steel - ASM Officer
NFC
The New Fellows‘ Conference was once again successfully run over the two days prior to the ASM in Canberra. Fellows who were within three years of graduating were able to meet other recent Fellows and discuss topics such as managing the end of life, organ donation, achieving a work/life balance, the role of the HDU, and changing the current training program.
The main purpose of the Conference is to canvas ideas from Fellows on how to best address some of the issues presently facing all specialists, so a report from the Conference summarising the main concepts will be submitted to the Board for its consideration. For more information contact Laura Fernandez-Low.
Clinical Update
Immediately prior to the ASM, the College conducted a one day course aimed at Fellows (and specialists from other colleges) who are not currently working full time in major intensive care units, and who wish to stay abreast of the latest trends in clinical management of critically ill patients.
The course, which had a large practical ‘workshop‘ component, was fully subscribed (80 participants) and was extremely well received. It is intended to run the course as an annual event, but probably in future it will be located in large regional centres, in an effort to target and attract regional and rural practitioners.
Annual Report
The Colleges Annual Report, incorporating the audited financial statement for 2010, is now available for viewing on the College website.
AMC Accreditation
The survey team from the AMC will conduct the site visit component of the accreditation process in the third week of June and then will be at the College offices for meetings with Board members, office bearers and committees, etc, in the last week of June.
Some members of the survey team attended the recent College ASM which provided a good opportunity for them to meet Trainees and sit in on meetings such as the Supervisors workshop. The College expects to receive a draft report of the AMC team‘s findings by the end of August.
Some members of the survey team attended the recent College ASM which provided a good opportunity for them to meet Trainees and sit in on meetings such as the Supervisors workshop. The College expects to receive a draft report of the AMC team‘s findings by the end of August.
Board Elections
Five positions on the CICM Board were up for election this year. All five retiring members were eligible to stand for re-election and all did so, along with three additional candidates.
In the election held on May 12, the following Board members were all re-elected for a further three year term: John Myburgh, Ross Freebairn, Bala Venkatesh, Peter Morley and Gavin Joynt.
In the election held on May 12, the following Board members were all re-elected for a further three year term: John Myburgh, Ross Freebairn, Bala Venkatesh, Peter Morley and Gavin Joynt.
Communication Course
The second Communication Skills course for Trainees will be held in Melbourne on Friday 2 September (venue yet to be determined)
The course will cover such areas as: breaking bad and catastrophic news; end of life treatment choices; open disclosure and advance care planning. The presenters, Michele Stewart and Helen Golding, are experienced course facilitators and counsellors and are familiar with intensive care issues through their work as presenters on the ADAPT Course.
The course will be a blend of demonstration, small group practice and scenarios that will focus on aspects such as the impact of emotion on communication; the effects of trauma and grief on behavior, active listening and differing communication styles.
The course will be a blend of demonstration, small group practice and scenarios that will focus on aspects such as the impact of emotion on communication; the effects of trauma and grief on behavior, active listening and differing communication styles.
Please contact Steph Gershon on stephg@cicm.org.au for more information and to reserve a place. The registration form will be sent to all Trainees shortly.
SOT Workshop
Just a reminder that the College will be running a workshop for Supervisors of Training on 14 July in Brisbane. All current SOTs are invited to attend.
There will be a Forum on the following day to discuss topics such as: Future Directions of CICM Trainee Supervision; Queensland Orientation and Training E-Learning Program; Pocket Simulation - Tips and Tricks for Starting a Program in Your ICU among others.
Registrations are limited so register today!
Online Journals
Unfortunately due to unforseen techincal issues, the online journal access has been temporarily suspended. The College is working on getting the problem fixed as soon as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing.
Exam Closing Date
The closing date for the General and Paediatric Fellowship Examination is Monday 4th July at 5pm (AEST). Please ensure you have your application form to the College by this time.
The Hot Case Assessment Form may be sent after the closing date however must be submitted by Friday 26th August, 5pm (AEST).
Electronic copies of all documentation are acceptable however the originals must be sent as soon as possible.
For further information please contact Daniel Angelico.
Rural Rotation
3 months of rural rotation, during the non continuous core training, was approved by the board in November 2009. Trainees must undertake the rural rotation during their non-continuous year. If its undertaken in the continuous year, this would result in having to undertake further training, in order to satisfy the 12 months of continuous requirement, in a single unit, as per Regulation 5.7.8.
Trainees and SOTs sometimes misinterpret this regulation. If you are planning to take a rural rotation and not sure exactly when it should be undertaken without prolonging your training please contact the Training department well before for advice.
Courses/Events
Queensland Annual Trainee Research Meeting
Friday 11th November 2011 9am - 4pm
Please submit all expressions of interests / projects for presentation to mcordwell@anzca.edu.auCritical Care Echo Leura
10-13 September 2011
Internationally renowned guest speaker - Professor Antoine Vieillard-Baron A four day course, that is suitable for intensivists, emergency physicians, and anaesthetists who seek training in the more advanced aspects of critical care echocardiography. The emphasis in on complex diagnosis, haemodynamic assessment, and communicating and reporting the findings of your studies. This course also assists those who are considering sitting the DDU in Critical Care Ultrasound (ASUM). Due to popular request, a one day RACE is usually provided for beginners on day one, with the advanced course run over the following days. For more information got to the website www.niccer.org.au
Melbourne Clinical Exam Course - "MCEC"
8th - 9th September 2011
Royal Melbourne Hospital
http://www.rmhicu.org.au/
Melbourne Clinical Exam Course - "MCEC"
8th - 9th September 2011
Royal Melbourne Hospital
http://www.rmhicu.org.au/
2nd Annual Winter Symposium in Intensive Care & Emergency Medicine
January 8-13, 2012
Viceroy Resort, Snowmass Village, Colorado
This meeting focuses on critical care and emergency medicine, with lectures from an international faculty of anaesthetists, intensivists and ED physicians.
Contact: info@colloquium.com.au
Web: www.colloquium.com.au
Online expert-reviewed self-directed learning guide (predisposing activity)
Online WebEx presentation by Dr Carl Waldmann, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK. Tuesday August 23 2011, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start, AEST
Expert-moderated forum: Monday September 5 to Sunday September 18, 2011
This Asklepios CME course is a self-directed learning activity designed for intensivists and intensive care nurses. Current issues in intensive care sedation practice are highlighted, including pain assessment, sedation management, delirium and daily interruption of sedation. The course has been reviewed by a panel of experts in intensive care and has been submitted for approval for the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) Program and is endorsed by the RCNA Life Long Leaning Program (3LP).
A-B-C for ICU Clinical Skills Workshop
Gold Coast
http://www.icuskills.org/www.icuskills.org/Welcome.html
Developments in sedation management in critical care: a focus on analgesia-based sedation
Gold Coast
http://www.icuskills.org/www.icuskills.org/Welcome.html
International Symposium Advanced Topics in Tracheostomy Care &
Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation
Sept 1- 2 2011 Hilton on the Park Melbourne, Australia
Annual New Zealand ICU Registrars Conference & Ultrasound Workshop
18-19 August 2011,
Chateau Tongariro, Whakapapa.
18-19 August 2011,
Chateau Tongariro, Whakapapa.
Lectures, interactive review of echocardiography clips and an ultrasound workshop. Due to the hands-on nature of the workshop, places are limited. The applications will be served in the order received with preference given to ICU trainees. $350. Registrations close 17 June 2011.
Contact Dr Geoff McCracken for further information.
AsklepiosContact Dr Geoff McCracken for further information.
Developments in sedation management in critical care: a focus on analgesia-based sedation
Asklepios is a novel learning format delivering short and interactive online CME courses. A blended format allows participants to engage in a three-part learning activity
Online expert-reviewed self-directed learning guide (predisposing activity)
Online WebEx presentation by Dr Carl Waldmann, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK. Tuesday August 23 2011, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start, AEST
Expert-moderated forum: Monday September 5 to Sunday September 18, 2011
This Asklepios CME course is a self-directed learning activity designed for intensivists and intensive care nurses. Current issues in intensive care sedation practice are highlighted, including pain assessment, sedation management, delirium and daily interruption of sedation. The course has been reviewed by a panel of experts in intensive care and has been submitted for approval for the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) Program and is endorsed by the RCNA Life Long Leaning Program (3LP).
Developments in sedation management in critical care: a focus on analgesia-based sedation is your opportunity to revise your knowledge of agents currently used for sedation regimens in Australian critical care delivery, with a focus in opioids. This module will also review clinical evidence for initiating sedation with analgesics prior to hypnotics (analgesia-based sedation) compared with hypnotic-based sedation.
Further information will be available shortly. Register your interest now at Asklepios CME
New Zealand News
CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS:
Doctors‘ prevocational training under review:
The MCNZ and HWNZ are reviewing prevocational training for PGY1 and PGY2 doctors. The review explores the issues and drivers behind the need for change, and the purpose and objectives for the first two postgraduate years, and it recommends key features of a prevocational training framework.
The MCNZ discussion paper, Prevocational Training Requirements for Doctors in New Zealand: a discussion paper on options for an enhanced training framework for discussion and feedback,raises a number of questions and proposes possible options for change. Each of the four options will give a varying exposure to the skills that intensive care medicine trainees need before beginning FCICM training. The MCNZ is holding meetings around New Zealand in June and July to discuss the issues raised in the paper.
Submissions close on 22 July and can be made online or by email to MCNZ. You may also send comments to CICM‘s New Zealand office for consideration as part of the NZNC submission.
GP training review:
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, HWNZ and the MCNZ have published proposals for the future of general practice training, Workforce Requirements for New Models of Service Delivery: Proposed Changes to the General Practice Education Programme. Key recommendations include the introduction of enhanced competency modules and required hospital placements as well as an academic component and changes to the assessment framework. Submissions close on 30 June.
MEDICAL COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND (MCNZ)
The MCNZ has recently published the following booklets:
Orientation, Induction and Supervision for International Medical Graduates - Best practice guidelines for employers and supervisors of international medical graduate sets out the roles and responsibilities of international medical graduates (IMGs) coming to work in New Zealand, and their employers and supervisors. Differences in medical cultures exist around the world. Good orientation, induction, and supervision will help IMGs new to New Zealand to understand and learn about our medical system and culture. IMGs who are new to New Zealand will need your help to get used to our systems, processes, and culture. The better the orientation, induction, and supervision processes, the sooner the IMG will be able to contribute effectively to your service.
Orientation, Induction and Supervision for International Medical Graduates - Best practice guidelines for employers and supervisors of international medical graduate sets out the roles and responsibilities of international medical graduates (IMGs) coming to work in New Zealand, and their employers and supervisors. Differences in medical cultures exist around the world. Good orientation, induction, and supervision will help IMGs new to New Zealand to understand and learn about our medical system and culture. IMGs who are new to New Zealand will need your help to get used to our systems, processes, and culture. The better the orientation, induction, and supervision processes, the sooner the IMG will be able to contribute effectively to your service.
Recertification and continuing professional development provides guidance on recertification and continuing professional development (CPD), as well as the responsibilities to undertake CPD.
HEALTH WORKFORCE NEW ZEALAND (HWNZ)
e-booklets:
HWNZ has developed two e-booklets about its workforce innovations programme and retention initiatives.
Workforce Innovations describes the various demonstrations of new and extended roles that have been set up in different parts of the country. HWNZ says the development and implementation of demonstration sites have been implemented to test new and extended workforce roles and new scopes of practice. It says these new ways of working have the potential to improve the quality of patient care, increase productivity, reduce costs in the long term and unlock the potential of the wider workforce.
Retention Initiatives outlines details of the Voluntary Bonding Scheme and the Advanced Trainee Fellowship designed to help retain New Zealand‘s medical workforce.
Regional postgraduate training hubs:
HWNZ‘s project to establish regional postgraduate training hubs has been under way for six months. HWNZ‘s May Stakeholder Bulletin reports on progress and notes that updated FAQs for the project are available on its website.
QUALITY AND SAFETY
Healthcare and quality forum:
The New Zealand Branch of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists is hosting a Forum on Funding, Models of Healthcare and Qualityin Wellington on Friday 5 August in association with its annual scientific meeting. Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the National Health Service in the UK, will lead a discussion on the impact of the global financial crisis on healthcare affordability, efficiency, new models of healthcare; restructuring of the National Health Service and reshaping the philosophy of healthcare delivery in the UK, and the integration of quality into the changes in healthcare delivery, including clinical leadership. Professor Des Gorman, HWNZ Executive Chair, will give the New Zealand perspective. The forum will conclude with a panel debate on the issues around how our health system will look in 2015.
The Health Improvement and Innovation Resource Centre (HIIRC):
The HIIRC is a one-stop shop of trusted health information, latest research and exemplars of best practice. It comes under the Ministry of Health and is a resource to help improve New Zealand‘s health care system and includes an extensive knowledge library of research literature, directories of individuals and organisations, a range of improvement tools, and the latest news about events and projects. Topics covered by HIIRC include hospital productivity, primary health, access to elective services, diabetes and cardiovascular services.
PBM Guideline
The National Blood Authority is pleased to announce that hard copies of the Critical Bleeding/Massive Transfusion Module are now available to order via our website: http://www.nba.gov.au/guidelines/module1/order.html
On behalf of the Clinical/Consumer Reference Group, thank you for engaging in the guideline development process, ensuring fulsome and valuable input from the clinical community.
Survey of Fellows
Survey of Fellows use of Research Evidence
Many of you will have received a copy of a survey being conducted by Associate Professor Gordon Doig and Ms Philippa Heighes from the University of Sydney, into Intensive Care Specialists knowledge of and use of research evidence. This survey is being conducted with the approval of the College and the full results of the survey will be made available to the College for use in the planning of the College‘s CPD activities in the future.